Miss Sharon Jones! (2015)

Two time Oscar Winner Director Barbara Kopple (Best Documentary Feature 1991 "American Dream" and 1977 "Harlan County, U.S.A.") introduces the viewer to the amazing singer/performer Miss Sharon Jones. Compared regularly to the stage presence of James Brown, Miss Jones is a powerful soul singer who fronts her band the Dap-Kings. Only recently recognized with a Grammy Nomination "Give the People What They Want," Jones has been on the music scene (since the 1990's) building a career and following that many may not know of. To correct this oversight, Kopple does an excellent job introducing the music audience to Miss Jones, taking us back to here early days with the Dap-Kings to and through her diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. While chronically her quiet raise to fame, "Miss Sharon Jones" also takes the audience into the world of responsibility she must carry as the lead singer of the Dap-Kings. It is her presence and voice that not only leads the band together, but she understand she is also responsible for putting money on the table for her fellow bandmates and family. This pressure to perform, while undergoing chemotherapy, is heart breaking and only a struggle a strong individual like Miss Jones can endure. This film is entertaining, enlightening, heart-breaking and full of terrific music that has long been overlooked. "Miss Sharon Jones" is documentary music film making at it's best. I went right out and purchased her Grammy Nominated Best R&B Album.